I hope that your Easter was sublime. Ours certainly was. BFF Vickie came into town and that always constitutes a party. We decided on a small dinner party for eight – basically the family Eric and I have fashioned for ourselves. And since Vic had missed our fab Christmas party, we decided to go all out. Was it budget busting? Not at all. Let everyone help and you have got yourself a great time with a tiny price tag. And my special finds and money saving tips don’t hurt, either.

Care To Join Us? Come On In!

Sometimes you get lucky.  The tent was a gift from John’s former roommate, MaryAnn, who was moving and never used it. She just gave it to me. For free!  I was one happy camper. The breezy side panels were borrowed from Crystal and the tie backs were remnants from my sewing box.

For the table we put together a wooden table from Ikea and a folding table. Then, we first laid two white tablecloths as our base (both bought at the Goodwill for $3.60 each). Next, we took the ice blue tulle leftover from the Christmas party and put that over the solid white tablecloths. Our organdy tablecloth completed the look. I loved how the ice blue just barely peeks through.

Next component – paper flowers. Now, I made these from Martha Stewart’s website, but somehow they didn’t look at all like her crafts. Ah, no worries, no one will notice. Vickie, just grab them and let’s take them out to the tent.  Hey, wait! All of the flowers bunched together look swell….maybe we should just wire them together and well…you tell me what you think.

Our Paper Flower Chandelier

We were really happy with this delightful mishap.  Cost of the flowers – $5 for tissue paper, $1 for floral wire.

The table was set with my heavy white plates, hammered silverware, buttery colored linen napkins and napkins rings I have had for years, purchased at Pier One. Vickie had flown in chocolates from Orlando to make up gift bags for everyone and we put them in cello bags I always keep around and tied with ribbon remnants.

Tulips purchased at the Farmers Market for $6 per ten were perhaps my most extravagant buy at $30. But you cannot fake fresh flowers and they bring immense joy to a table setting, don’t you think?

Goodwill Topiaries and Big Lot Chickies!

Sweet moss topiaries were found at the Goodwill for $6.50 each and the chicks in the pots were $1 for a bundle at Big Lots. Because there seemed to be some space in the topiary, I wrapped it with my old pearls that I never wear.  Chairs are from Ikea. I also draped a shawl on each of the ladies’ chairs in case they got chilly in the night air.

For the food?  Remember I was going to make leg of lamb? Well, that didn’t pan out, I could not find a leg of lamb anywhere. So Eric and I put our heads together and decided on a turkey, which Eric dry rubbed and grilled.  Cost of the turkey – $14. I also found asparagus at the Super H for .99 a bundle and carrots for .69 a bag. The asparagus would be grilled as would the carrots (in butter and fresh dill).  The veggies were wrapped separately in foil packs to be put on the grill – thus, less kitchen cleanup = happy hostess!

John contributed the most delightful sides – spinach stuffed zucchini and a leek, artichoke and potato gratin. Holly made a scrumptious apple pie and brought rolls and ice cream.  Crystal brought the most delicious deviled eggs I have ever had the pleasure to devour.  Danny and Holly brought wine, as well. Let your friends help. They want to help and it helps your budget. I adore giving parties, but it gets pricey. This is the best of both worlds.

You know what we need? More pictures! Cue the photography:

Tulips Anchored in Stemless Wine Glasses With Citrus - Vic's Idea!

More Shots of the Flowers

Looking Down The Table

One Precious Place Setting

The Close Up

Do you remember our wine charm idea from the Popeyes Chicken and Wine Tasting? Just little paper tags you tie on to the glass. Well, Eric surprised me by creating wine tags especially for Spring. Aren’t they the best?

Just A Few of Eric's Wine Charms- Love Them!

Cost of wine charms = Eric’s fabulous imagination.

We also made cake balls. I don’t know if I would do these again…they were crazy sweet and kind of a mess (even though Eric and Vickie provided all the manpower). They looked pretty, though.  Also gracing the table was a lemon/pomegranate sorbet served in hollowed out lemon halves sitting in white Easter grass in my milk glass wine glasses.

Vickie and Eric Icing The Cake Balls

Sorbet, Anyone?

Milk Glass Awaiting The Arrival of the Sorbet

Let’s take a look at all that food!

Crystal's Wicked Deviled Eggs Topped With Fresh Pork Rind - Gone in 60 Seconds!

John's Delicious Stuffed Zucchini

Holly's Struesel Apple Pie.....Mmmmm, Pie!

I think that might be all the food photos I got. Someone opened a bottle of wine and it was time to sit down and eat…well,  almost!

John Opens Wine While Eric and Teague Enjoy Those Devilish Eggs!

Eric and Teague, Cutting Up

Oscar, The Party Boy

Eric and I Take a Moment for a Hug and a Snapshot

Vickie and Holly Enjoy A Beverage Before Dinner

Vickie and Danny Find Their Seats

Eric and Vickie Applaud Everyone's Efforts

Dinner was devoured, drinks were lingered over, dessert was served.

Teague Offers Up Cake Balls While Holly is Trying to Get the Ice Cream Served

That photo cracks me up. Especially since Holly is the kindest soul on the planet.

Is Vickie Really Thirsty or Is This Part of the Clean Up? You Decide

I hope you and yours had the best Easter. We sure did at our house.

xoxo, Patti

Happy Monday, Darlings!  As promised, each week before Thanksgiving we will broach another topic. Today, we are discussing whether you actually need to cook. Do you really want to weigh yourself down cooking a zillion sides and pies that will just stress you out before you even get to the table?  Are you doing it because mama and granny did?  Come on – you are much too sophisticated for that type of thinking. It’s 2009, for goodness sakes.  You can turn on your laptop and order the entire meal online while sipping your latte at Starbucks.  Even Miss Hospitalityaholic is not cooking everything after assembling this list. The pies will be ordered and I will pickup the bread from one of the many fabulous outlets seen here. Sure, I will bake and mash the sweet potatoes (probably the day before), throw together a salad and make my mom’s special sausage and raisin stuffing. But the boys are frying a turkey outside (ohhhh, fire!) So don’t fret, my sweeties – here are some places in Atlanta to order and pickup and also, for my out of town friends, some sites from which to order the whole enchilada. Or turkey. I don’t judge.

Alon’s, Offering orders a la carte from several menus, you can chose from appetizers, sides, meats and relish, artisan breads and desserts, all individually priced. Last day for orders will be Mon., Nov. 23 and pick-up by 4 pm Wed., Nov. 25. 1394 North Highland Ave. 404-872-6000. www.alons.geomerx.com.

Murphy’s, Offering to-go meals for 4 at $125 and for 8 at $250. The menu includes roasted boneless turkey breasts, herbed cornbread, cranberry orange relish and each meal comes with a pie. Orders must be placed by Fri., Nov. 20 and picked up Wed., Nov. 25 between 11 am-6 pm. 404-872-0904. 997 Virginia Ave. www.murphysvh.com.

Muss & Turner’s, Offering a prepared package of sides and desserts that serve four at $99.93. Includes roasted vegetables, Ritz cracker dressing, green bean bake, sweet potato mash, gravy, lingonberry sauce, wheat rolls and choice of pumpkin or pecan pie. Orders will be taken until Nov 21 and pick-up is 11 am-6:30 pm Wed., Nov. 25. 1675-309 Cumberland Pkwy SE. 770- 434-1114. www.mussandturners.com.

PARISH: Food and Goods, An a la carte menu, that will include an all natural creole fried turkey with creamy horseradish sauce for $112, Broccoli & Cheese Casserole for $9/quart and Maple Creamed Sweet Potatoes with PARISH Granola: $8.50/quart. Orders need to be placed by Nov.13 and picked up Nov. 25. 404-681-4434. 240 N. Highland Ave. www.parishatl.com.

Rolling Bones Premium Pit BBQ, This menu twist on the traditional Turkey includes a whole turkey and cranberry relish for $60, or bone-in turkey breast with cranberry relish for $45, beef brisket with a side of horseradish for $70, whole duck with fig relish for $35 and sides by the quart for $8. 404-222-2324. 377 Edgewood Ave. www.rollingbonesbbq.com.

South City Kitchen-Midtown, In addition to offering a dine-in option, they will offer take-out for parties of 8 or more at $22.50 per person. Orders will be taken until Fri., Nov. 20 and pick-up is on Wed., Nov. 25. 404-873-7358. 1144 Crescent Ave. southcitykitchen.com/midtown.

The Shed at Glenwood, You can have a fully prepared meal for $150 for six to eight people. This includes a roasted turkey, a number of sides and an apple pie. Orders must be placed by Sun., Nov. 22 and picked up Wed., Nov 25, 5-7 p.m. 475 Bill Kennedy Way. 404-835-4363. www.theshedatglenwood.com.

Or…if you are just really overwhelmed and want all the Thanksgiving goodies sent right to your door, here are a few suggestions.

Gourmet Grocery Online, These folks will send you a Turducken next day Fed Ex. This Cajun Stuff specialty starts with a semi-boneless turkey. This is stuffed with a boneless duck, dressing, then a boneless chicken and finally more delicious dressing. The final product will weight 15-16 lbs and will feed about 20 people. At $119.99, this will set you at about $6.00 per person, not including sides. gourmetgroceryonline.com

Schaul’s, There is nothing quite like a fresh turkey from Schaul’s. Schaul’s Turkeys are plump, juicy and fork tender. Carefully fed and raised, assuring a delicate buttery flavor that is unmatched in other brands. Fresh turkeys are available only during the week of Thanksgiving. Helpful cooking instructions are included with your order. Starting at $40.60 for a 12-14 lb bird to feed your friends and family. www.schauls.com

The Fresh Lobster Company, No one ever said you have to eat turkey. How about some fresh lobster or some other type of seafood? This is making me rethink that big bird. Right now they are running a special for “free overnight shipping” if you order 10 or more Maine products. Hmmm….after careful consideration and Maine’s recent overturning of same-sex marriages, I can’t in good conscience recommend anything from Maine. So lets not call these guys, mmmmkay?

Gourmet Station, Are there just the two of you this year? Playing hooky from the in-laws while watching the Macy’s parade? Good plan!  Gourmet Station will deliver your entire meal for $99.99. There you go – have another glass of wine and enjoy the game! www.gourmetstation.com

Greenberg’s Turkey, If it’s good enough for Oprah, it’s good enough for me. Everyone is raving about Greenberg’s. It’s a smoked turkey, so if that is not your thing, you might want to reconsider. But their prices are terrific, starting at $27 for a 6 lb bird that should feed 12-18 people all the way up to a 15 lb turkey that will feed 30 – 45 people for $64.35. Add around $10 for shipping, and I consider that a deal. Pop over to the grocery store, buy some Stouffer’s sides and you are good to go. www.gobblegobble.com

iGourmet, Heritage Turkeys are never frozen, includes neck and giblets, and comes with a traceability certificate that states the turkey farm where your turkey is from. The bird’s genetics can be traced back to the 1800′s, ensuring a true “heritage” bird. Starting at 8 lb, going all the way up to a huge 22 lb, this should provide all your turkey needs. www.igourmet.com

Just make sure you have plenty of lovely sandwich bread, mayo and chips for turkey sandwiches the next day. You are going to be tired after all that shopping on Friday.

Some things never change.

xoxo, Patti

Next Monday – The perfect table setting.

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